The COVID-19 pandemic has forced graves and other organizations to modify the way of commemorating those in uniform who give their lives for their country during Remembrance Day.
For example, Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, closed to the public – with the exception of family members who have loved ones buried there. And even though 142 national burials for Veterans Affairs will stay open to the public, The National Funeral Administration will not host a public event at this cemetery.
But apart from the requirements of social distance, some organizations and groups continue to respect those who make major sacrifices in several ways. The following is a list of events that take place almost over the weekend in honor of Remembrance Day, throughout Eastern time:
Department of Defense: Defense Secretary Mark Esper will visit Arlington National Cemetery at 9 am on Monday to remember those who lost their lives serving their country. Joint Chiefs of Staff Chief General Mark Milley and several senior government and defense officials will also be present. Those who are interested in watching the ceremony of laying a wreath can watch it at www.defense.gov.
United States Navy Commemoration: United States Navy Commemoration held a laying ceremony of a virtual wreath on this Remembrance Day at the Navy Memorial plaza in Washington, DC .. Speakers included Retired Rear Admiral Frank Thorp IV, president & CEO at the US Navy Memorial Union; Rear Admiral Carl Lahti, commander of the Washington Naval District; and the captain of the Navy Cmdr. Pratik Ray. The event is scheduled for Monday, May 25 at 1 pm. and available for viewing here.
Friends of the National WWII Memorial: Friends of the National WWII Memorial will share statements recorded before the Memorial Day Commemoration via Facebook on Monday, followed by a brief virtual wreath-laying ceremony at the National World War II Memorial in National Mall. Speakers will include Josiah Bunting III, chairman of the Friends of the National War II Memorial; Jeff Reinbold, supervisor of the National Mall and Memorial Parks; and Roberta Nolan, whose father First Lieutenant James O’Boyle Lyons was a prisoner of war during the Battle of the Bulge and died in May 1945. The statement recorded earlier would be broadcast on Facebook at 9 a.m., and the wreath-laying ceremony will follow at 9:30 am also via Facebook.
National World War I Museum and Memorial: The Museum and National World War I Commemoration held several virtual events on Monday to commemorate Memorial Day. First, the museum and memorial held a ceremony featuring speakers, including Senator Jerry Moran from Kansas, and Rep. Emanuel Cleaver II is also from Kansas. The event is scheduled for 11 noon on Monday. In addition, the bell ringing ceremony was also scheduled at 1 p.m., using bells that were repeated by the Daughters of the American Revolution every day from 1917-1918. Finally, the museum broadcasts the biennial Walk of Honor service at 3 pm. to dedicate 100 new Walk of Honor granites at the museum. The bricks were dedicated to those who served in World War I, and veterans from all branches of the military. All shows can be seen here.
JWB Jewish Chaplains Council: The JWB Jewish Chaplains Council launched the first National Jewish Community Commemoration Day to recognize Jewish commitments to the military on Monday. Speakers included retired Navy Captain Rabbi Irving Elson, director of the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council; Rear Admiral Jeffrey Jablon, director of Personnel, Military Planning and Policy; and several Gold Star families. In addition, there will be performances from the Combined United States Naval Academy Glee Club. You can watch the program at 1 p.m. on Facebook here.
Ancestral Hero Parade: Ancestry has partnered with groups including HISTORY®, the Injured Soldier Project, The Greatest GENERATIONS Foundation, Heroes of the Second World War and TAPS to hold a virtual event “Heroes of the Heroes” on Monday to commemorate Remembrance Day and also the 75th anniversary of the end of the year . WWII. Television personality Kathie Lee Gifford will host a virtual “spectacle party”, and the event will feature veteran speakers such as Army veteran Dan Nevins, who lost both legs from the knee down while serving in Iraq in 2004 during a combat mission. Nevins is now a professional speaker and Baptiste yoga teacher, and eager to use yoga to help treat “unseen war wounds” among veterans. Viewers can watch “Hero’s Parade” on Ancestry Facebook page at 11 a.m.
National Commemoration Day Concert: PBS still broadcasts this year’s National Commemoration Day Concert on Sunday, May 24. Retired Army General and former White House National Security Adviser Colin Powell will be performing, and Army Chief of Staff Chief General Mark Milley is scheduled to deliver a special message. The show will feature members of the US Army Herald Trumpet, U.S. Army Choirs, US Navy Band Sea Chanters, U.S. Air Force Singers, among others. Besides airing on PBS, this concert will also be aired on Facebook and YouTube, and The PBS website is here at 8 pm.
